>Adams County Arrest Records Online

Adams County, Colorado Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Adams County, Colorado?

Arrest records are public in Adams County, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) § 24-72-301 et seq. and the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) § 24-72-201 et seq. These statutes establish that records maintained by criminal justice agencies, including arrest records, are generally accessible to the public. The Adams County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county maintain these records in accordance with state law. Public access to these records serves the legislative intent of promoting governmental transparency and accountability while balancing privacy concerns and public safety interests.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions. These exemptions may include ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure would be contrary to the public interest as determined by the records custodian.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Adams County?

Arrest records can be found online in Adams County through various official government portals. The Adams County Sheriff's Office maintains digital databases that allow public access to certain arrest information. Additionally, the Adams County Court system provides online access to court dockets and case information related to arrests.

The digital availability of these records is governed by Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-305, which authorizes criminal justice agencies to establish reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and copying of criminal justice records. Online access systems have been implemented as part of the county's commitment to modernizing public services and improving accessibility while maintaining compliance with state regulations regarding public records.

Users of these online systems should be aware that the information provided may not be comprehensive, as some records may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate agency. Furthermore, online records are subject to the same statutory restrictions and exemptions as physical records.

How to Look Up Adams County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Adams County arrest records, several official methods are available to members of the public. Each method requires specific information and may involve different processing times and fees:

Adams County Sheriff's Office Records Unit
4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Suite W5400
Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: (303) 654-1850
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search database and warrant search system for current information.
Adams County Justice Center
1100 Judicial Center Drive
Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: (303) 654-3239
Email: AdamsRecordRequest@judicial.state.co.us
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Court records related to arrests can be requested through the Adams County Court Records Unit.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Denver, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 239-4208
For statewide criminal history information that includes Adams County arrests, the CBI provides record checks for a statutory fee pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-306.

When requesting arrest records, requestors must provide:

Full legal name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest
Case or booking number (if available)
Valid government-issued identification of the requestor

Fees for record searches and copies are established in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-306 and may vary based on the scope of the request and the agency providing the records.

Contents of an Adams County Arrest Record

Adams County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Colorado law and local agency policies. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Booking information, including booking number
Fingerprint classification data
Photographic identification (mugshot)
Detention status information
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Court case number, once assigned
Disposition information, if available

These records are maintained in accordance with the records retention schedule established by the Colorado State Archives pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-80-103. The completeness of information in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of the case and applicable statutory exemptions.

Law enforcement agencies in Adams County, including municipal police departments such as those in Brighton and Northglenn, contribute to these records through standardized reporting procedures.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Adams County

Individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records in Adams County under specific circumstances outlined in Colorado law. The legal framework for record sealing is primarily governed by C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, which provides pathways for eligible individuals to remove arrest information from public access.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation processes court-ordered sealings of arrest records. Eligibility criteria for sealing arrest records generally include:

Cases where charges were not filed after arrest
Cases that were dismissed
Cases resulting in acquittal
Completed diversion agreements
Certain conviction records after specified waiting periods

The petition process requires filing with the district court in Adams County where the arrest occurred. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-702, petitioners must:

Submit a formal petition to the court
Pay applicable filing fees
Provide fingerprints for verification purposes
Serve notice to the District Attorney's Office
Attend a hearing if required by the court

If granted, a sealing order directs all criminal justice agencies to seal records related to the specified arrest. The Adams County District Court handles these petitions through its civil division.

It is important to note that sealed records remain available to law enforcement agencies and may be considered for certain licensing, employment in the criminal justice system, and subsequent criminal proceedings.

Legal Restrictions on Using Arrest Records in Adams County

The use of arrest record information in Adams County is subject to various legal restrictions designed to protect individual rights while maintaining public access to government records. These restrictions are established through both state statutes and federal regulations.

Under Colorado law, specifically C.R.S. § 24-72-308, the improper use of criminal justice records may result in civil penalties. Additionally, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., regulates how arrest information can be used for employment, housing, and credit purposes.

Key restrictions include:

Employers with four or more employees are prohibited from asking about sealed or expunged arrests on initial employment applications under Colorado's "Ban the Box" law (C.R.S. § 8-2-130)
Housing providers may not use arrest records that did not result in conviction as the sole basis for denying housing
Consumer reporting agencies must comply with FCRA requirements when reporting arrest information
Public agencies and private entities may not publish arrest information with the intent to coerce payment for removal

The Adams County District Attorney's Office, located at 1000 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601, provides guidance on the proper use of criminal justice information and may investigate complaints regarding misuse of such information.

Search Arrest Records in Adams County

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